Route 322 closure in place with accompanying detour
in HarrisonNJDOT project to improve and upgrade Mullica Hill Pond Dam
and bridge over Raccoon Creek progresses

(Trenton) - NJDOT officials today announced the full closure and detour of Route 322 (Mullica Hill Road) between Route 45 and the Mullica Hill Bypass, as work advances to upgrade the existing Mullica Hill Pond dam and replace the Route 322 bridge over the dam spillway and Raccoon Creek in Harrison Township, Gloucester County.

NJDOT’s contractor, South State, Inc., has implemented the closure as of Wednesday afternoon, September 4. The closure was originally planned for next week, but unexpected flooding of the roadway yesterday led NJDOT and Gloucester County to implement the long term closure at this time.

Motorists are being directed - via dynamic message signs - to utilize the recently completed Mullica Hill Bypass around the work zone. Access to all residences and businesses along Route 322 and Main Street will remain open. Utilizing the full roadway closure with detour is expected to provide a safer construction zone and shorten the overall construction schedule. The detour is expected to remain in place until the end of
2014.

Initial construction operations and utility relocation work began in February, requiring periodic impacts on mainline Route 322 over the past few months.

The purpose of the $8.1 million project is to bring the dam up to the requirements of the Safe Dam Act, constructing a new spillway capable of handling water flow from a ‘100 year storm event’ without the dam overtopping. The new spillway will feature a gate to control low level water release. NJDOT will also replace the structurally-deficient Route 322 bridge over the dam spillway and improve the substandard geometry of the western approach roadway 322 to improve sight distance. A portion of the Route 322 profile will be raised and the existing roadway drainage inlets, pipes, and outfalls will be upgraded. A new NJDEP Fish, Game and Wildlife fish ladder will be installed in the dam and Route 322 will be repaved along the entire length of the dam.

NJDOT held a public information center August 12 at Clearview Regional High School on to provide interested residents with the opportunity to review detour plans and discuss issues with representatives. The project - which will improve public access to Mullica Hill Pond for passive recreation with the addition of new sidewalks and lighting - is scheduled for completion in spring 2015.

In late-2008, NJDOT reached a jurisdictional transfer agreement with Gloucester County, returning jurisdiction of Route 322 between mileposts 8.46 and 15.2 and mileposts 17.4 and 17.5 to the county. The Department had advanced this project into design prior to the jurisdictional agreement, and therefore remained the lead-agency for the dam and bridge improvements.

The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors. Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website www.511nj.org for real-time travel information.